Advice on buying a Clio 172

[ewg_uk]

Hi,

I'm going to be looking to buy a Clio 172 within the nxt month or so but don't know much about them so wondered if you have any tips?

I'll probably get the phase 2 172 (with climate, xenons etc?) but might end up with a Mk1 depending on what I feel like spending when it comes to it. I won't be looking for a modded one, just a standard one that seems to have been well-cared for.

It's going to be a weekend car so I was considering one with higher miles... is this a problem with these cars. When does the cambelt need to be replaced etc.

Any help\advice appreciated

 

[cK]

72k or 5 years. serviced regularely then they are really reliable and non problematic engines.

 

[edde]

72k/ 5years is the recomended serive for the btls but IMO anything over 4 years and 60k I'd get it done its expensive and can and does fail. Chaning the belts not cheap though its 5.1 hours labour and the parts are £130

best chck for acidnet damage all the bits wor the brakes are ok (can be a bit pricy particualy the rears to change)

Milage isn't an issue apart form the usual ting dampers can wear particult the rear ones cna leak.

Clutchs arn't great life span can be limited depends how you drive and its 7 hours labour to change it. There alsoways heavy and high biting point though.

Also check the geabrox there not superb depend on abuse though.

 

[ewg_uk]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Would you say they're fast? I probably won't drive it fast that much to be honest but it is a weekend car. I'm after something small and quick with toys so this car seems to fit the bill perfectly.

...unless anyone can recommend a car I might not have thought of?

 

[cat171]

whats your budget ??

 

[edde]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Would you say they're fast? I probably won't drive it fast that much to be honest but it is a weekend car. I'm after something small and quick with toys so this car seems to fit the bill perfectly.

...unless anyone can recommend a car I might not have thought of?

Fast depends what your used to and compairing it to best drive one yourself.

There loads of other choice VTS saxo is one or a Civic type R or a Seat Leon Cupra etc.

 

[ewg_uk]

Sorry... budget is around £4500.00. I used to have an MG ZS180 so would be comparing it to that really as that's the fastest car I've owned up to now. That car wasn't too fast off the mark but quick once it got going... I'm looking for a bit of boh really now though.

I like the VTS but I don't like its image. CTR is an option but didn't really want to spend that much on a weekend car... unless it's worth it?

 

[edde]

Sorry... budget is around £4500.00. I used to have an MG ZS180 so would be comparing it to that really as that's the fastest car I've owned up to now. That car wasn't too fast off the mark but quick once it got going... I'm looking for a bit of boh really now though.

I like the VTS but I don't like its image. CTR is an option but didn't really want to spend that much on a weekend car... unless it's worth it?

Yep 172 will be abit quicker not huge though from what I would call huge. It weight less the Clio so thats the advanatage.

Best drive the cars see if you like them for that money I'd get the phase 1 172 though also I personaly prefere the driving of the car and the handling plus there cheaper.

 

[ewg_uk]

Yeah hoping to test drive a few asap. Right now I have 3 cars though so want to get rid of those first lol. It's a decision I made today so just wanted to look into the car first but it does seem like a good choice.

I do like the phase 1 but the phase 2 has the toys and I like the Monaco Blue colour. Do the "toys" tend to last well... i.e. - ould imagine the climate to cost a fortune if it goes wrong and the phase 1 might be the better choice for that reason?

 

[edde]

Do the "toys" tend to last well... i.e. - ould imagine the climate to cost a fortune if it goes wrong and the phase 1 might be the better choice for that reason?

Climate is fited to both models and yes it can be trouble its quite good realy on adverage though.

The phase 2 came in what is called Cup spec ie a low spec without air con (although climate was an option) it was a 52 onlwards car you could choice but it did looses loads of bits like ABS leather seats etc but its deemed as being the rawest of the range.

 

[ewg_uk]

Do the "toys" tend to last well... i.e. - ould imagine the climate to cost a fortune if it goes wrong and the phase 1 might be the better choice for that reason?

Climate is fited to both models and yes it can be trouble its quite good realy on adverage though.

The phase 2 came in what is called Cup spec ie a low spec without air con (although climate was an option) it was a 52 onlwards car you could choice but it did looses loads of bits like ABS leather seats etc but its deemed as being the rawest of the range.

Seen the cup... like the idea of its weight but wouldn't want to sacrifice ABS when there's so many lunatics on the road these days!

I reckon the one I'd go for is a phase 2 standard spec. Phase 1 is nice but I don't like the interior in the pictures I've seen. Phase 2 seems to have a good balance of everything.

Sorry... probably sound like a right idiot but I've had too many cars over the past few years (i.e. - owning 3 right now is pointless!) so I just want to find something for the weekend that I'll actually keep for once.

What mechanical things go wrong so I can look out for them?

Thanks for the help

 

[edde]

What mechanical things go wrong so I can look out for them?

If you want a real weekend toy what about a caterham etc? real workd bare driving.

Problems wheel bearings can be expensiev the rears are part of the disk so have to be chnaged with the disks realy.

Check the clutch etc they do like leaking oil form cam seals and sumps.

Check the engine mounts are all solid there each and cheap to chnage.

Make sure you either get the cambelt done with good proof or get a good discount for one now with its belts done.

There quite good realy milage ins't an issue just the normal stuff also check for resparey etc the car goes and stops straight the brakes are superb if if there not then might need a bit of attanetion (usualy very cheap bleeding then grease the sliders ect)

They do surrfer form a few electrical probelsm lot liking to start if sensors like the TDC fail (they fail a lot) also coil packs can fail but only £40 so not bad.

 

[ewg_uk]

Okay well there's a fair few problems there but I suppose it's only the same with any car.

Will ge rid of my current cars and get looking for a 172 + a cheap estate for work